Nashua officials selling projects to the elected leaders have mastered the art of the ambush. All too often, City officials are presenting information to Boards and requesting immediate approval for the project.
The elected officials are caving to the demands for immediate responses rather than reflect, contemplate, and verify data. This elevates the project risk.
Two new city projects on the horizon are the redevelopment of the Elm Street Middle School property and the EPA Superfund Mohawk Tannery property.
At the August 19, 2022 Nashua Housing and Redevelopment Authority (NHRA) meeting, Director Cummings and Director Sullivan presented a plan for the redevelopment of the Mohawk Tannery property that would create over 500+ housing units for the City. The City would be partially waiving the regulations for the newly adopted affordable housing act as the developer could not meet those requirements and maintain profitability. This project involves a complex and rarely executed funding deal.
The minutes reflect;
Mr. Tollner asked within what timeframe the City of Nashua would need a decision from NHRA. Mr. Cummings said he would like at least a consensus now that NHRA is on board as he wants to be able to represent it publicly to the Board of Alderman.
The NHRA gave consensus for the project.
On January 10, 2023, Director Cummings and the Mohawk project team presented to the Board of Alderman. The cache of materials was not provided to the members prior to the meeting. Director Cummings tries to deflect that he is looking for approval from the Board, but states:
We will not be looking for any type of approvals, we just want to get an indication as to whether we’re going in the right direction…
At a December 6, 2022, Joint Planning & Economic Development Meeting
Director Cummings and Mayor Donchess presented a plan to the Board of Alderman for the development of the Elm Street Middle School property. Once again, the presentation material was not provided to the Board in their packet, nor available to the public.
Director Cummings stated;
I’m looking to get some sort of go no-go direction on the city developing a strategic partnership with Riviera where we affirmatively go out to the marketplace and we speak with confidence that yes we do want two ranks on this we understand that there’s some trade-offs here one of them being is we’re looking at like a 50-year lease type conversation…”
The PEDC committee voted 7-2 to move forward with the project. Two members believed it was unfair to request an approval when a project of this magnitude was under a first review.
Nashua has many projects on its plate. Elected officials should not succumb to pressures from the Mayor and Directors for immediate approval. Please exercise the due diligence that your constituents expect and remember that it’s not your money. It’s taxpayer money.
